Fixing, displaying antique tractors runs in the family

Cumberland Valley antique machinery group hosts summer event

Dylan Woods, 16, Mercersburg, and his grandfather, Donnie Keefer, Needmore, stand by Keefer's 1946 John Deere model A tractor. The two have bonded over learning to take care of the antique machine. (Lauren Cappuccio — Public Opinion)

The 16-year-old Mercersburg native was preparing the 1946 John Deere Model A that he would be displaying in a tractor parade on Sunday afternoon at the Cumberland Valley Antique Engine and Machinery Association's summer event.

He'd been riding and learning how to take care of the tractor from his grandfather, Donnie Keefer, Needmore, who has about 40 tractors, including the one that Dylan is working on.

"I've been helping to display and take care of the tractors for more than five years," Dylan said. "I think I'm getting good at it."

The hobby began when Donnie's father collected tractors and used them on his farm, he said. When he passed away, he inherited almost 100. The number is down now to the 40 or so, he said.

"It was a great way of bonding with my father and now a good way of spending time with Dylan," he said. "He spends a lot of time working with the tractor that it's practically his already."

The Cumberland Valley Antique Engine and Machinery Association hosts a summer and spring event, in which steam and gas engine tractors are displayed and some compete in pulls.

On Sunday, Dylan was getting the tractor ready for the parade, which included many of the approximately 600 tractors that were registered to participate by their owners.

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"It's fun," Dylan said. "You meet a lot of good people and a lot of my friends also display and ride antique tractors."

He said he hopes to get his own tractor someday and wants to continue the tradition.

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